Rain has been living with me for a couple years, off and on. It’s a cozy arrangement. I have a bedroom that’s about 12×15, in which we share a single bed, and a TV slightly larger than that. That we haven’t killed each other is a testament to ongoing love, because I’m sure we’ve both [R

I roll in after midnight, usually closer to 1 AM. Come home, watch a rerun of the 11 o’clock news, eat something, and crash. Repeat 4-5 times a week. Then I got a girlfriend. I work a lot, pay a lot for cable/internet, and feel as though it should be used, so I encourage Rain […]

I roll in after midnight, usually closer to 1 AM. Come home, watch a rerun of the 11 o’clock news, eat something, and crash. Repeat 4-5 times a week. Then I got a girlfriend. I work a lot, pay a lot for cable/internet, and feel as though it should be used, so I encourage Rain […]

Today has been strange. I didn’t get up until 1 PM, and then only to return to bed for a nap. About 3 PM, I went to the Kwik-E-Mart for pop and a coffee for Rain. She was still sleeping when I got home. It’s winter wonderland outside. There has been a bit of freezing […]

Today has been strange. I didn’t get up until 1 PM, and then only to return to bed for a nap. About 3 PM, I went to the Kwik-E-Mart for pop and a coffee for Rain. She was still sleeping when I got home. It’s winter wonderland outside. There has been a bit of freezing […]

“Hi! I’d like to talk to you about Jesus.” I was waiting to board the MAX at Pioneer Square. “No thanks, not interested.” He was a young man, maybe thirty years old. Scruffy but not unkempt. “How can you not be interested in the bible?” “Easy. Watch me.” I turned away. &

“Hi! I’d like to talk to you about Jesus.” I was waiting to board the MAX at Pioneer Square. “No thanks, not interested.” He was a young man, maybe thirty years old. Scruffy but not unkempt. “How can you not be interested in the bible?” “Easy. Watch me.” I turned away. &

For the past five years or so, one of my favorite customers has been Crazy Cat Woman Carol. I use the term customer loosely; she has been kicked out of the store by most of my co-workers, including my manager, Southie. She was finally 86ed for real the other day, and as you might guess, […]

For the past five years or so, one of my favorite customers has been Crazy Cat Woman Carol. I use the term customer loosely; she has been kicked out of the store by most of my co-workers, including my manager, Southie. She was finally 86ed for real the other day, and as you might guess, […]

It’s been a few months since I’ve been a regular here. I’ve missed writing. I still create in my head, while other forms of social media have distracted me and fed the creative brain. I love Twitter, even if it’s turning into a non-stop barrage of ads and nonsense. I love the concept of micro-bloggin

It’s been a few months since I’ve been a regular here. I’ve missed writing. I still create in my head, while other forms of social media have distracted me and fed the creative brain. I love Twitter, even if it’s turning into a non-stop barrage of ads and nonsense. I love the concept of micro-bloggin

…And their sons. This one’s going to the dogs. People ask how I tolerate the assholes at work? The mouthy tough-guys who run up to you like they’re going to hit you? If they can get you to flinch, they think they can bully you. I stand steely-eyed and ask, “What’s your point?” See, if [

…And their sons. This one’s going to the dogs. People ask how I tolerate the assholes at work? The mouthy tough-guys who run up to you like they’re going to hit you? If they can get you to flinch, they think they can bully you. I stand steely-eyed and ask, “What’s your point?” See, if [

“DURR!” I couldn’t help but flash back to the South Park episode where Cartman pretends to be retarded to win the Special Olympics. Last night’s Petty Criminal of the Day wasn’t that stupid, but there were some fairly hilarious moments. I was training one of many new people. Fortunately, they g

“DURR!” I couldn’t help but flash back to the South Park episode where Cartman pretends to be retarded to win the Special Olympics. Last night’s Petty Criminal of the Day wasn’t that stupid, but there were some fairly hilarious moments. I was training one of many new people. Fortunately, they g

It had been a month since my altercation with Kevin, the dude who looks like the butt-baby of Samuel L Jackson and Fred Sanford. As the days passed, he became bolder. He would walk past, eyeing me and grinning. He would peek around the corner, and I would pretend not to see him, then watch […]

It had been a month since my altercation with Kevin, the dude who looks like the butt-baby of Samuel L Jackson and Fred Sanford. As the days passed, he became bolder. He would walk past, eyeing me and grinning. He would peek around the corner, and I would pretend not to see him, then watch […]

I get punched by random black guys all the time. I wish I were kidding, but it’s true. I was in a fight in 1989. It was pretty cool, I was tripping on acid and defended my home and women from a drunken intruder. I threw his ass down the stairs and left him half-paralyzed […]

I get punched by random black guys all the time. I wish I were kidding, but it’s true. I was in a fight in 1989. It was pretty cool, I was tripping on acid and defended my home and women from a drunken intruder. I threw his ass down the stairs and left him half-paralyzed […]

It was Saturday morning, and I was restless. Rain was out doing her daily routine, and I had the day off. I’ve been working an average of six days a week, and a full day off with no expectation of being called in left me feeling a little lost. I ate a magic lemon bar […]

I’ve always been a creature of habit. When I find something that works, I stick with it. This can lead to ruts. I dislike ruts. This year has been a season of change. A LOT has changed. But, as they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same. This is the story […]

Man, I hate working days. For thirty-plus years, I have worked nights. I love the swing shift. People off work and partying, they come to me for beer, cigarettes, and the things that make you not smell like beer and cigarettes. They stumble in, laugh, move on. It’s not like that in the daytime. Suits […]

‘Well my mind keeps goin’ through them changes…” I quit updating my social status every time I caught the eye of a new girl, or caught up with an old one, or dumped one forever, because nothing is forever (yet) and I am a pussy when it comes to being firm in my convictions. Besides, […]

People ask me, “Aren’t you scared?” when crazy incidents happen at work. For the most part, no. I have seen (and done) a lot in my thirty-plus years as a cashier. I had another ‘first’ last week, in fact. (More on that later.) What happened, that wasn’t a first, but hasn’t happened

“I’m kinda low on green. Would you bring me some flowers?” Angel is always so polite. “How much you want? I can hit the dispensary before work.” “Damn, I only got a twenty. Can you go small?” “Heh.” I made it sound dirty. She smiled. “I got an idea. Keep your $20 a

“Hey buddy, my phone is turned off. Just got your email. I’m broke as a joke today. If you still need some hair love write me back please? I need ten bucks to turn my phone back on.” A typical note from Rain? Nope. It was Clairissa. It just so happened that I had the […]

“We need to talk.” “Okay.” I could tell by Rain’s voice she knew what was coming. I hadn’t heard from her in three weeks, and she’d called to see if I was working. She wanted to stop by and say hi. From my tone, I doubted she would show. When she walked in, all smiles, […]

There has been a lot of introspection of late. I’ve spent the past few days, actually weeks now, riding the bus and trying to figure out what I want to do. I’ve put a lot on Angel’s shoulders. She’s a sweet woman with problems of her own, but she has taken time to ease me […]

I awoke at 7:28 AM, grabbed my phone and texted, “Having a hard time sleeping, cute girl has me all distracted. Can’t wait to see you.” I took a couple bong hits and laid back down. It was Valentines Day 2014, and if it went as hoped, it would be a day remembered as one […]

It started out as a simple plan. Hop the bus twenty blocks to the store, to get chocolate milk while it’s on sale. Monday morning, no problem, right? Sold out of milk. Really? But, no biggie, I get a raincheck good for sixty days, so I can buy milk without waiting for the magic day. […]